St John the Baptist Staveley
The earliest record of a church on this site appears in the Doomsday Survey of 1086. It was probably built during the reign of Edward the Confessor (1004-1066) by Hacon, Saxon Lord of the Manor.
Saxon Churches were not elaborate, their primary purpose being to shelter the altar for services which at first had been held in the open air. The altar shelter, the Chancel, was the responsibility of the Priest and the Lay Rector. The people built their own shelter the Nave.
The main entrance to the church is through a porch that was erected in 1965 to replace an earlier porch dating from the 17th Century.
The Font, which was restored in 1959 to its traditional position near th main door dates from the Norman Period (c1175). It should be noted that the four corners of the pillars are all part of one piece of stone that forms the lower half of the Font. The upper half of the bowl, bearing a crude carving of Christ the King, is thought to have been at one point the capital of a Norman pillar. The font was at some time removed from the Church by misguided “reformers”, and was brought back to the Church in the 19th Century after serving as a trough in the garden of the large house opposite the Church which was formerly the Rectory.
As you move to the south aisle situated on the west wall is the Missionary window, and as you move down the south aisle you will find the following windows on the south wall: The Staveley Team, 1973, St Mark and St John the Evangelist, 1887 Faith, Hope and Charity, 1906.
The south aisle belongs to the 14th Century or Decorated Period, with its four octagonal pillared arches. Also note the windowsills of the south wall which are formed of old Saxon grave slabs. Also, to be found here is the banner of the local Mother’s Union.
The Lady Altar consists of a modern stone altar with a medieval mensa, or altar stone, erected after World War II close to the site of the previous altar. This is confirmed by the presence of a medieval piscina; this will be seen on the south wall and consists of a shallow basin with a drain intended to take the rinsing’s from the sacred vessels, the water running out into the consecrated ground. Behind the altar is a carved oak paneled Reredos, which has been embossed and painted. It has nine panels, the five center panels bear figures of, from left to right, St Paul, St Margaret, Our Lady with the body of Christ, St Barbara and St Peter. There are four lesser ornamented panels on the extreme left and right. There is also here the statue of our Lady and Child, by local sculptor Ludwig Kuzniarz.
The Chancel was rebuilt about 1786, on the south arch is the Eagle Lectern. On the north side is the carved oak pulpit which dates from the expansion and restoration of the Church carried out under the direction of Sir Gilbert Scott (1865), the pews and choir stalls are also of this date. The Chancel screen consists of a plain oak screen erected in 1915 in appreciation of the then rector Canon Molineux. It was later decorated and is now surmounted by the splendid Rood, also the work of Ludwig Kuzniaz. The Rood consists of a large crucifix, flanked by figures of Our Lady and St John.
The High Altar is a magnificent stone altar, the mensa of which consists of a huge limestone slab measuring 98” x42” x 10”. This is one of the largest intact stone altars in England and dates from the 14th Century (some sources suggest it may be the largest limestone mensa in Europe) and lay hidden at the extreme end of the Chancel from the time of the reformation until it was found buried during the 1896 workings. The Mensa bears five marks of consecration in the form of crosses, one in each corner and one in the centre: these symbolising the wounds of Christ.
The Reredos is of white marble and is painted in traditional colours. It dates from the Victorian period. Above the Reredos is the East Window, “The Lamb of God”. The window was reordered in 1971 when much of the heavy glass was taken out and the three central figures of the original window set against a background of lighter, antique glass by Robertson’s of Sheffield.
At the north wall of the sanctuary stands a fine altar tomb belonging to the great Staveley family of Frecheville, whose former home is now Staveley Hall. This family came to England with William the Conqueror, but not until about 1200 do we find definite reference to their establishment in Staveley. At the time, by marrying into the Musard family, which at that time owned most of the Staveley lands, they became heirs to the property, established themselves and here built their ancestral home.
Above the Altar tomb is the window “The Baptism of Christ”.
The earliest of the Frecheville monuments are the two brasses attached to the present tomb. The first inlaid into it, the second fixed to the recess in the wall alongside it and both are in memory of Peter Frecheville who died in 1503. The first brass depicts Peter in his armour with his feet resting on a greyhound. His family coat of arms is on his tabard. Unfortunately, at some time, the head and shoulders of the brass have been torn away although the to scrolls issuing from the Head are still intact. They read…” STA TRINITAS UNUS DEUS MISERERE NOBIS” (Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy upon us) and…” DEUS PICIUS ESTO MIHI PECCATORI” (God be merciful unto me, a sinner).
The tomb is also notable for its small brass emblem of the Trinity inlaid above the scrolls. The brass seams to have been made and installed before Peter died, for the date of his death was left blank to be filled in later. However, it seems that on his decease the second brass was inscribed and the old one left blank. The second one depicts him, his wife Matilda, kneeling at desks facing each other. Kneeling behind Peter are eight sons, and behind his wife seven daughters. Above and between them is a small brass portrait depicting Our Lady and the Child Jesus. Unfortunately, the scrolls issuing from their mouths have been stolen. We know, however, that these scrolls bore the words, “SANCTA MARIA, ORA PRO NOBIS” (Holy Mary, pray for us) and “O MATER DEI, MEMENTO MEI” (Mother of God, remember me). Under these figures is an inscription which reads…”HEREUNDER FOTE LIETH THE BODYS OF PEYRS FREYCHWELL AND MAUD HIS WYFE, AND SOME TYME SQUIER UNTO THE NOBLE AND EXCELLENT PRINCE HENRY VI, AND LORD PATRON OF THIS CHURCHE, PEYRS DECEASED THE XXV DAY OF MARCH, THE YERE OF OUR LORD MDIII. ON WHOSE SOULLYS, JHU HAVE MERCY, AMEN”.
Peter’s son John dies six years after his fathers in 1509 and has a fine incised slab of alabaster to his name which lies slightly raised from the ground on the opposite side of the Chancel to his father’s tomb.
Of special interest are the six clerestory windows on the south side of the Chancel. These are of 16th century origin and were for some tome blocked and hidden but were re-glazed in 1786.
The Frecheville or Jesus Chapel is situated on the south side of the Sanctuary and is reserved for private prayer. The Blessed Sacrament is reserved here in the Tabernacle at the rear of the simple wooden altar. This is signified by the white light which burns perpetually before it.
To the right of the Altar in a stone niche will be seen a medieval statue of Our Lady and Child. This was found several years ago buried in the Rectory garden.
The Chapel dates from the 14th century, being an extension on the south aisle. It is separated from the Chancel by an octagon pillar, supporting two arches dating from the same period. The east wall window contains some remains of ancient Lenten Glass, depicting one man grinding a Hurdy-Gurdy, and another playing a Clavichord. This window is titled "The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary”. The window is Victorian, the original being lost in a fire.
The Chapel contains the remainder of the Frecheville memorials. The great great grandson of Peter Frecheville referred to earlier, is here commemorated by a wall plaque. His mother was the founder of Netherthorpe Grammar School and he himself began the extensive building of Staveley Hall. His son John, the last and most famous Frecheville line, has three memorials to himself in this Chapel, and one to his daughter. His finest memorial in the Chapel is the heraldic window erected to commemorate his peerage and painted by the famous Henry Gyles of York, 1676. In two supporting lights of the window we see the four coat of arms of…Frecheville impaling Nicholls (his first marriage) top left, Frecheville, bottom left, Frecheville with an in escutcheon of Harrington (his second marriage), bottom right, Frecheville impaling De Vick (his third marriage) top right in the centre is a large shield denoting the rising fortunes of the family.
The other south wall window is of Saints Peter, John, Francis and Paul and dates from 1937.
On the floor of this Chapel is a grit stone slab in the form of an elaborate type of sepulchral stone. Broader at the head tan at the base it is incised with a circular headed cross standing on a “Calvary” of four steps within which is carved a five-petal flower. Midway along the stem of the cross is an indent where once was fixed a small brass plaque. This must have been fixed at a later date and shows the stone has been used for a doubly commemorative purpose. The original incised stone belongs to the late 12th or early 13th century and the interesting thing about it is that alongside the cross is cut a crude sword. Such stones were especially common at that time and the implements carved usually denoted the occupation of the person interred, a sword for a soldier, scissors for a tailor, a Chalice for a priest.
The medieval canopies in the right hand corner, the tomb of John De Warton (1315), Rector of this parish and Prior of Worksop and the amusing carved stone head on the south wall, probably put there during the 1865 restoration after recovery from the grounds.
The St Michael Chapel contains a life size carving of our Patron Saint, St John the Baptist. This work was presented to the church by the Kuzniarz family after the artists death. The Chapel contains a simple wooden altar, behind which is the Reredos formed by the Triptych bearing reproductions of the famous painting by Rubens, “Descent from the Cross”. The East window depicts “The Nativity” and contains some old glass from the Rectory and is by Stammers of York, 1952. The north wall window commemorates “The Derby Diocese Jubilee, 1977”.
The North Aisle was built by Sir Gilbert Scott during his extensive restorations and extensions between 1865-9. This work was carried out with great care, the colonnade and windows being in keeping with the medieval parts of the Church.
On the right hand side of the arch, in front of the St Michael Chapel, is found the Miners Shrine, a fine figure of St Michael, patron of those who work in dangerous places, this is also the work of Ludwig Kuzniarz.
On the north wall is found the Easter Sepulchre, a rare survivor in English Churches. The purpose of the Sepulchre is to house the Blessed Sacrament from the Maundy Thursday Mass until the Liturgy on Good Friday; this one is still used for this purpose. It consists of an arched recess and is the richest piece of carved medieval masonry in the Church though crude in execution. The two pinnacles supporting the arch are asymmetrical and the figures carved upon them rigid and of poor proportions. The carving on top of the arch represents a cluster of acorns and oak leaves, while on the left hand are two female figures and on the right two female figures. In the upper portion of the recess is an almost obliterated medieval painting of the Risen Lord, seated in glory with angels worshipping on each side of him. In the stone base of the recess, examinations reveal holes into which the iron grille that guarded the Lord’s Body on these occasions was fixed. The Easter Sepulchre was moved to this traditional position during the 1865-9 restoration. The stonework has been restored and finely re-gilded and coloured in the traditional manner.
The tracery stonework in the windows are copies of the 14th century examples to be found in Dorchester Church in Oxfordshire. The two stained glass windows on the north wall are…The Presentation of Christ in the Temple, 1908, The Post Resurrection Appearance of Our Lord, 1962, the tribute of Staveley Church folk to the work of Herbert Harold Dibben, Canon of Derby and Rector of Staveley from 1927-1959. It is a further example of the work of Stammers of York.
On the west wall will be found the sacristy, this is of recent construction and replaced the original pipe organ loft.
Above the Sacristy is the fine west window “Pentecost” 1866. For many years this window was hidden behind the organ pipes.
The wooden roof was added during the 1865-9.
At the base of the tower will be found the choir vestry, above which is the recently converted Sunday School Room. From the Sunday School we can see the long lancet window in the west wall which belongs to the early English Period, as does the whole of the base of the tower with its large irregular buttresses. It is all that remains of the early English Church that was built on this site. The upper section of the tower is of light York stone and dates from the 15th Century, or Perpendicular Period. The dark castellated top of the tower is dated 1681 on its central battlement.
The Tower has a peal of eight bells, and these are hang in an oak bell-frame dating from 1897. The bells are older, six of the bells being re-cast by Arnold of St Neots, Huntingdon in 1782.
In 1910 the tower was restored, the bells were re-hung and in 2011 the bells and fittings were restored.
On the external of the Church, above the Chancel, is a stone bell-cote which contains the Sacring Bell. The bell was re-cast in 1959 but is dated 1694 and no doubt replaced an even older bell. The bell also contains the inscription “ADOREMUS” (let us adore).
The earliest record of a church on this site appears in the Doomsday Survey of 1086. It was probably built during the reign of Edward the Confessor (1004-1066) by Hacon, Saxon Lord of the Manor.
Saxon Churches were not elaborate, their primary purpose being to shelter the altar for services which at first had been held in the open air. The altar shelter, the Chancel, was the responsibility of the Priest and the Lay Rector. The people built their own shelter the Nave.
The main entrance to the church is through a porch that was erected in 1965 to replace an earlier porch dating from the 17th Century.
The Font, which was restored in 1959 to its traditional position near th main door dates from the Norman Period (c1175). It should be noted that the four corners of the pillars are all part of one piece of stone that forms the lower half of the Font. The upper half of the bowl, bearing a crude carving of Christ the King, is thought to have been at one point the capital of a Norman pillar. The font was at some time removed from the Church by misguided “reformers”, and was brought back to the Church in the 19th Century after serving as a trough in the garden of the large house opposite the Church which was formerly the Rectory.
As you move to the south aisle situated on the west wall is the Missionary window, and as you move down the south aisle you will find the following windows on the south wall: The Staveley Team, 1973, St Mark and St John the Evangelist, 1887 Faith, Hope and Charity, 1906.
The south aisle belongs to the 14th Century or Decorated Period, with its four octagonal pillared arches. Also note the windowsills of the south wall which are formed of old Saxon grave slabs. Also, to be found here is the banner of the local Mother’s Union.
The Lady Altar consists of a modern stone altar with a medieval mensa, or altar stone, erected after World War II close to the site of the previous altar. This is confirmed by the presence of a medieval piscina; this will be seen on the south wall and consists of a shallow basin with a drain intended to take the rinsing’s from the sacred vessels, the water running out into the consecrated ground. Behind the altar is a carved oak paneled Reredos, which has been embossed and painted. It has nine panels, the five center panels bear figures of, from left to right, St Paul, St Margaret, Our Lady with the body of Christ, St Barbara and St Peter. There are four lesser ornamented panels on the extreme left and right. There is also here the statue of our Lady and Child, by local sculptor Ludwig Kuzniarz.
The Chancel was rebuilt about 1786, on the south arch is the Eagle Lectern. On the north side is the carved oak pulpit which dates from the expansion and restoration of the Church carried out under the direction of Sir Gilbert Scott (1865), the pews and choir stalls are also of this date. The Chancel screen consists of a plain oak screen erected in 1915 in appreciation of the then rector Canon Molineux. It was later decorated and is now surmounted by the splendid Rood, also the work of Ludwig Kuzniaz. The Rood consists of a large crucifix, flanked by figures of Our Lady and St John.
The High Altar is a magnificent stone altar, the mensa of which consists of a huge limestone slab measuring 98” x42” x 10”. This is one of the largest intact stone altars in England and dates from the 14th Century (some sources suggest it may be the largest limestone mensa in Europe) and lay hidden at the extreme end of the Chancel from the time of the reformation until it was found buried during the 1896 workings. The Mensa bears five marks of consecration in the form of crosses, one in each corner and one in the centre: these symbolising the wounds of Christ.
The Reredos is of white marble and is painted in traditional colours. It dates from the Victorian period. Above the Reredos is the East Window, “The Lamb of God”. The window was reordered in 1971 when much of the heavy glass was taken out and the three central figures of the original window set against a background of lighter, antique glass by Robertson’s of Sheffield.
At the north wall of the sanctuary stands a fine altar tomb belonging to the great Staveley family of Frecheville, whose former home is now Staveley Hall. This family came to England with William the Conqueror, but not until about 1200 do we find definite reference to their establishment in Staveley. At the time, by marrying into the Musard family, which at that time owned most of the Staveley lands, they became heirs to the property, established themselves and here built their ancestral home.
Above the Altar tomb is the window “The Baptism of Christ”.
The earliest of the Frecheville monuments are the two brasses attached to the present tomb. The first inlaid into it, the second fixed to the recess in the wall alongside it and both are in memory of Peter Frecheville who died in 1503. The first brass depicts Peter in his armour with his feet resting on a greyhound. His family coat of arms is on his tabard. Unfortunately, at some time, the head and shoulders of the brass have been torn away although the to scrolls issuing from the Head are still intact. They read…” STA TRINITAS UNUS DEUS MISERERE NOBIS” (Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy upon us) and…” DEUS PICIUS ESTO MIHI PECCATORI” (God be merciful unto me, a sinner).
The tomb is also notable for its small brass emblem of the Trinity inlaid above the scrolls. The brass seams to have been made and installed before Peter died, for the date of his death was left blank to be filled in later. However, it seems that on his decease the second brass was inscribed and the old one left blank. The second one depicts him, his wife Matilda, kneeling at desks facing each other. Kneeling behind Peter are eight sons, and behind his wife seven daughters. Above and between them is a small brass portrait depicting Our Lady and the Child Jesus. Unfortunately, the scrolls issuing from their mouths have been stolen. We know, however, that these scrolls bore the words, “SANCTA MARIA, ORA PRO NOBIS” (Holy Mary, pray for us) and “O MATER DEI, MEMENTO MEI” (Mother of God, remember me). Under these figures is an inscription which reads…”HEREUNDER FOTE LIETH THE BODYS OF PEYRS FREYCHWELL AND MAUD HIS WYFE, AND SOME TYME SQUIER UNTO THE NOBLE AND EXCELLENT PRINCE HENRY VI, AND LORD PATRON OF THIS CHURCHE, PEYRS DECEASED THE XXV DAY OF MARCH, THE YERE OF OUR LORD MDIII. ON WHOSE SOULLYS, JHU HAVE MERCY, AMEN”.
Peter’s son John dies six years after his fathers in 1509 and has a fine incised slab of alabaster to his name which lies slightly raised from the ground on the opposite side of the Chancel to his father’s tomb.
Of special interest are the six clerestory windows on the south side of the Chancel. These are of 16th century origin and were for some tome blocked and hidden but were re-glazed in 1786.
The Frecheville or Jesus Chapel is situated on the south side of the Sanctuary and is reserved for private prayer. The Blessed Sacrament is reserved here in the Tabernacle at the rear of the simple wooden altar. This is signified by the white light which burns perpetually before it.
To the right of the Altar in a stone niche will be seen a medieval statue of Our Lady and Child. This was found several years ago buried in the Rectory garden.
The Chapel dates from the 14th century, being an extension on the south aisle. It is separated from the Chancel by an octagon pillar, supporting two arches dating from the same period. The east wall window contains some remains of ancient Lenten Glass, depicting one man grinding a Hurdy-Gurdy, and another playing a Clavichord. This window is titled "The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary”. The window is Victorian, the original being lost in a fire.
The Chapel contains the remainder of the Frecheville memorials. The great great grandson of Peter Frecheville referred to earlier, is here commemorated by a wall plaque. His mother was the founder of Netherthorpe Grammar School and he himself began the extensive building of Staveley Hall. His son John, the last and most famous Frecheville line, has three memorials to himself in this Chapel, and one to his daughter. His finest memorial in the Chapel is the heraldic window erected to commemorate his peerage and painted by the famous Henry Gyles of York, 1676. In two supporting lights of the window we see the four coat of arms of…Frecheville impaling Nicholls (his first marriage) top left, Frecheville, bottom left, Frecheville with an in escutcheon of Harrington (his second marriage), bottom right, Frecheville impaling De Vick (his third marriage) top right in the centre is a large shield denoting the rising fortunes of the family.
The other south wall window is of Saints Peter, John, Francis and Paul and dates from 1937.
On the floor of this Chapel is a grit stone slab in the form of an elaborate type of sepulchral stone. Broader at the head tan at the base it is incised with a circular headed cross standing on a “Calvary” of four steps within which is carved a five-petal flower. Midway along the stem of the cross is an indent where once was fixed a small brass plaque. This must have been fixed at a later date and shows the stone has been used for a doubly commemorative purpose. The original incised stone belongs to the late 12th or early 13th century and the interesting thing about it is that alongside the cross is cut a crude sword. Such stones were especially common at that time and the implements carved usually denoted the occupation of the person interred, a sword for a soldier, scissors for a tailor, a Chalice for a priest.
The medieval canopies in the right hand corner, the tomb of John De Warton (1315), Rector of this parish and Prior of Worksop and the amusing carved stone head on the south wall, probably put there during the 1865 restoration after recovery from the grounds.
The St Michael Chapel contains a life size carving of our Patron Saint, St John the Baptist. This work was presented to the church by the Kuzniarz family after the artists death. The Chapel contains a simple wooden altar, behind which is the Reredos formed by the Triptych bearing reproductions of the famous painting by Rubens, “Descent from the Cross”. The East window depicts “The Nativity” and contains some old glass from the Rectory and is by Stammers of York, 1952. The north wall window commemorates “The Derby Diocese Jubilee, 1977”.
The North Aisle was built by Sir Gilbert Scott during his extensive restorations and extensions between 1865-9. This work was carried out with great care, the colonnade and windows being in keeping with the medieval parts of the Church.
On the right hand side of the arch, in front of the St Michael Chapel, is found the Miners Shrine, a fine figure of St Michael, patron of those who work in dangerous places, this is also the work of Ludwig Kuzniarz.
On the north wall is found the Easter Sepulchre, a rare survivor in English Churches. The purpose of the Sepulchre is to house the Blessed Sacrament from the Maundy Thursday Mass until the Liturgy on Good Friday; this one is still used for this purpose. It consists of an arched recess and is the richest piece of carved medieval masonry in the Church though crude in execution. The two pinnacles supporting the arch are asymmetrical and the figures carved upon them rigid and of poor proportions. The carving on top of the arch represents a cluster of acorns and oak leaves, while on the left hand are two female figures and on the right two female figures. In the upper portion of the recess is an almost obliterated medieval painting of the Risen Lord, seated in glory with angels worshipping on each side of him. In the stone base of the recess, examinations reveal holes into which the iron grille that guarded the Lord’s Body on these occasions was fixed. The Easter Sepulchre was moved to this traditional position during the 1865-9 restoration. The stonework has been restored and finely re-gilded and coloured in the traditional manner.
The tracery stonework in the windows are copies of the 14th century examples to be found in Dorchester Church in Oxfordshire. The two stained glass windows on the north wall are…The Presentation of Christ in the Temple, 1908, The Post Resurrection Appearance of Our Lord, 1962, the tribute of Staveley Church folk to the work of Herbert Harold Dibben, Canon of Derby and Rector of Staveley from 1927-1959. It is a further example of the work of Stammers of York.
On the west wall will be found the sacristy, this is of recent construction and replaced the original pipe organ loft.
Above the Sacristy is the fine west window “Pentecost” 1866. For many years this window was hidden behind the organ pipes.
The wooden roof was added during the 1865-9.
At the base of the tower will be found the choir vestry, above which is the recently converted Sunday School Room. From the Sunday School we can see the long lancet window in the west wall which belongs to the early English Period, as does the whole of the base of the tower with its large irregular buttresses. It is all that remains of the early English Church that was built on this site. The upper section of the tower is of light York stone and dates from the 15th Century, or Perpendicular Period. The dark castellated top of the tower is dated 1681 on its central battlement.
The Tower has a peal of eight bells, and these are hang in an oak bell-frame dating from 1897. The bells are older, six of the bells being re-cast by Arnold of St Neots, Huntingdon in 1782.
In 1910 the tower was restored, the bells were re-hung and in 2011 the bells and fittings were restored.
On the external of the Church, above the Chancel, is a stone bell-cote which contains the Sacring Bell. The bell was re-cast in 1959 but is dated 1694 and no doubt replaced an even older bell. The bell also contains the inscription “ADOREMUS” (let us adore).
